Greyhound guard of honour for late Limerick man who was ‘a true genius with a dog’

THERE was no horse-drawn hearse for the late Michael (Mike) Buckley, instead, members of Doon Coursing Club led a number of prized greyhounds in a guard of honour through Doon.

Son and top trainer, Pat, described it as “a very fitting tribute to a man who was never too far away from a collar and lead” on his Buckley Greyhound Training social media account.

“As a family we are truly touched by the remarkable crowd that turned out over the last few days to pay their respects to Mike. 'Dada' was a larger than life character that will be sorely missed by all his friends and family,” read the post.

Another well-known son of Mike and Mary is Irish country music star Jimmy Buckley who also thanked one and all who attended Mike’s reposal and funeral Mass in Doon lsat Friday and Saturday.

“I would just like to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who supported myself and my family over the past few days following the passing of our dear dad, Mike Buckley.

“The kindness shown to us through your messages, phone calls, emails, and the many people who travelled to attend the funeral has meant so much to us all. Your support, prayers, and comforting words have been a great strength to our family during this very sad time.”

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Jimmy said, in a post on social media, that his father would have been very touched to see so many people thinking of him and remembering him.

“On behalf of my mother Mary, my brothers and sisters, and all of our family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support.”

Mike Buckley, of Gurtavalla, Doon, and formerly of Glengar and Main Street, Doon, passed away peacefully at University Hospital Limerick last Thursday.

Jimmy announced the sad news on social media, describing his late father as a “loving and generous dad to us all”.

“He will be sadly missed by our dear mother Mary, as she was by his side for over 60 years. He was very proud of all eight of his children and his many grandchildren.

“He loved his music and was so very proud of both Claudia and me, and was an eager follower of both our careers,” wrote Jimmy, one of the biggest names on the Irish country music scene. 

Brother, Pat, is equally as successful in his chosen profession of greyhound training with over 36 classics to his name. Buckley Greyhound Training, led by Pat, also shared their fond memories of Mike on social media, saying he was responsible for their family’s lifelong love of greyhounds, having started with his first dogs back in the 1960s. 

“Over the years he bred and sold many brilliant greyhounds under his well-known ‘Velvet’ prefix. One of his proudest moments came in 2014 when Velvet All Jam, trained by his son Tadgh, won the Irish Oaks.

"Throughout the years there were many other outstanding dogs, including Velvet Commander, Velvet Cash and Velvet Paul. Still to this day Velvet Commander is the most expensive dog ever sold in Irish racing,” reads the post.

Mike was immensely proud of his family’s achievements, particularly when Pat’s dogs were victorious in the English, Irish and Scottish Derbies, as well as many other classic and  feature races. 

“More recently, he was absolutely over the moon when TedTastic won the T.A. Morris Stakes in Clonmel for the Whelans on a Sunday Syndicate, made up of many of his great old friends.

"He also took great pride in Jimmy’s success on the coursing field, including the Coursing Derby winner Upper Hand, who was born and bred at Jimmy’s Galway base, along with all the great “Montpelier” dogs. Mike followed every race and every competition with great passion, always offering advice, guidance and encouragement along the way.

“He was a true genius with a dog and passed that love and knowledge on to Jimmy, Tadgh and Pat, and now proudly to the third generation,” reads the tribute which describes Mike “as an incredible character, loved by all who knew him”. 

“He was as sharp as a tack, with a quick wit and a roguish charm that made him wonderful company. He loved a pint, a bit of craic, and the company of his many friends.

“Most of all, he loved his wife Mary, who stood by his side every day for the past 60 years. He was a devoted father and was adored by all of his children, as well as his 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who will cherish his memory always”.

Mike is predeceased by his parents Mike and Josephine and his brothers James, Jack, Bill and Chris.

He is sadly missed by loving wife Mary, sons Michael, Pat, Jimmy and Tadhg, daughters Siobhán Kinane, Anne Hayes, Molly Maher and Mairéad English, sons-in-law Nickie, John, Paul and Martin, daughters-in-law Pauline, Daizi and Clarice, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and all his friends from the greyhound community.

May he rest in peace.